CARE Veterinary Center

Kelly Gellasch and Stephanie PhillipsFounders

A MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE

Founders Kelly Gellasch and Stephanie Phillips opened CARE Veterinary Center in 2010, then acquired Frederick Emergency Animal Hospital — the only competitor within 20 miles — in 2013. Four more emergency veterinarians, two internists and two surgeons also joined the staff that year. The practice has grown from 15 employees to more than 70, a testament to the local community’s need for veterinary specialty and emergency services. CARE’s veterinary specialists and emergency veterinarians not only work closely with primary care veterinarians but also with each other, so that each patient benefits from the combined expertise of a multi-disciplinary team.

Quick Tip: “The secret to having it all is knowing you already do.”

Gellasch and Phillips didn’t have extensive business management training when they launched their practice, and were forced to pick up skills in areas such as employee relations, inventory, marketing, scheduling and maintenance as they went along. At the end of 2015, CARE formed a leadership team incorporating employees at all levels and from every department. This helped implement new processes and protocols, as well as improving efficiency and the client experience. As a locally owned business, CARE supports the Frederick community through ongoing participation in and sponsorship of numerous pet-related events and programs.